# Sharp LR35902

> system on a chip used by the Game Boy

**Wikidata**: [Q114361262](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114361262)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sharp-lr35902

## Summary
The Sharp LR35902 is a system on a chip (SoC) used in the original Game Boy, developed by Sharp Corporation. It integrates the Sharp SM83 CPU and other essential components into a single integrated circuit, enabling the handheld gaming console's functionality.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Product model
- **Subclass of**: System on a chip
- **Manufacturer**: Sharp Corporation
- **Used by**: Game Boy Color (indirectly, as the LR35902 was in the original Game Boy)
- **Has part**: Sharp SM83 (CPU)
- **Wikidata description**: System on a chip used by the Game Boy
- **Reference source**: *Game Boy Architecture | A Practical Analysis* (2019)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Sharp LR35902?
A: The Sharp LR35902 is a system on a chip (SoC) used in the original Game Boy, integrating the Sharp SM83 CPU and other components into a single integrated circuit.

### Q: Who manufactured the Sharp LR35902?
A: The Sharp LR35902 was manufactured by Sharp Corporation, the same company that produced the original Game Boy.

### Q: What CPU does the Sharp LR35902 use?
A: The Sharp LR35902 includes the Sharp SM83 CPU, a custom 8-bit processor designed for the Game Boy.

### Q: Is the Sharp LR35902 used in the Game Boy Color?
A: While the original Game Boy used the LR35902, the Game Boy Color used a different SoC (Sharp LR35902 variant or successor).

### Q: What is the significance of the Sharp LR35902?
A: The Sharp LR35902 was a key component in the original Game Boy, enabling its portability and gaming capabilities through a compact, integrated design.

## Why It Matters
The Sharp LR35902 played a crucial role in the success of the original Game Boy by consolidating the console's hardware into a single integrated circuit. This design choice minimized size, reduced power consumption, and simplified manufacturing, contributing to the Game Boy's widespread popularity. As a system on a chip, it demonstrated Sharp's ability to integrate complex functionality into a single component, a trend that influenced later handheld and embedded systems. The LR35902's inclusion of the Sharp SM83 CPU ensured efficient performance for its time, making it a foundational element in the gaming industry's shift toward portable entertainment.

## Notable For
- **Integrated Design**: The LR35902 combined the Sharp SM83 CPU, memory, and other components into a single chip, enabling the Game Boy's compact form factor.
- **Sharp SM83 Integration**: The inclusion of the Sharp SM83 CPU, a custom 8-bit processor, optimized performance for the Game Boy's games.
- **Game Boy's Success**: The LR35902's compact and efficient design was instrumental in the Game Boy's commercial success and long-lasting legacy.
- **Predecessor to Later SoCs**: The LR35902's architecture influenced later handheld systems, including the Game Boy Color and other embedded devices.

## Body
### Overview
The Sharp LR35902 is a system on a chip (SoC) designed for the original Game Boy, manufactured by Sharp Corporation. It serves as the central component of the console, integrating the Sharp SM83 CPU, memory, and other essential functions into a single integrated circuit.

### Technical Specifications
- **CPU**: Sharp SM83 (8-bit processor)
- **Integration**: Combines CPU, memory, and other components into a single chip
- **Manufacturer**: Sharp Corporation

### Historical Context
- **Release**: Used in the original Game Boy (1989)
- **Successor**: The Game Boy Color later used a different SoC, though the LR35902 remained in use for the original model
- **Impact**: The LR35902's compact design was pivotal in the Game Boy's portability and success

### Significance
The LR35902's integration of the Sharp SM83 CPU and other components into a single chip reduced the Game Boy's size and power consumption, making it a breakthrough in handheld gaming. Its design principles influenced later embedded systems and handheld consoles.

## References

1. [Game Boy Architecture | A Practical Analysis. 2019](https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/game-boy/)